As I listened to Grant’s words, I tried to focus on the good news. I was out of my lease. Yay! My stuff was still safe in storage. Also, yay!
Then came my mental spiral. As much as I had been trying, I couldn’t escape the end of summer and when I was leaving. Silence filled our call as I thought.
“Youareleaving, right?” Grant asked after a moment.
“Of course, I’m leaving,” I defended. “I’m just…trying to figure out my plans. There’s still plenty of time left. I’m not in a rush or anything.”
“It’s August already, Jules.”
No it wasn’t. It was still?—
I pulled my phone away from my ear, putting it on speaker as I pulled up my calendar app.I narrowed in on today’s date, and hot tears began to sting my eyes when I realized Grant was right. It was August.
My chest started to feel tight, the walls closing in, my breathing getting more rapid. My mouth felt so dry that I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to continue the conversation.
“Right, yeah, I knew that,” I lied, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’ll start looking this week. Maybe even tonight. I’ll have some time before heading out to dinner.” Laura and Mark were having another dinner in their backyard, and Wes and I were going to head over together.
“Let me know if you need any help. I’ll see if anyone in the office knows of someone who’s renting.”
Knowing Grant, he would find someone immediately, and that would make my life easier. So, then why did it feel so wrong?
“That would be great. Thanks, Grant. Let me know if you find anything, and I’ll start looking, too. Listen, I gotta run. Talk to you later?”
As I was about to end the call, Grant quickly spoke up. “Wait, Jules, you’re having a good summer, right?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “The best.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that. You sound different, happier. Whatever is in the air in Golden Falls has been suiting you well. I’m proud of you for getting out there, and I’m excited to see you when you’re back. Talk soon.”
It was only when the call had ended that it registered how wet my cheeks had gotten, and I realized I was crying.
What was I going to do?
41
WESLEY
I couldn’t wrapmy head around how it was August already. Apart from summer slipping through my fingers, things were good. Really good.
I loved having Juliette in my house—she was the missing piece in making it feel like home. Everything was brighter with her around.
We had gotten into a routine. We had coffee together in the mornings, and we’d meet up for lunch somewhere downtown. Sometimes she would bring lunch over to Lake Ridge or we would walk around downtown holding hands before heading back home. I normally wasn’t big on public displays of affection, but I loved showing the whole town that Juliette was mine. Lily still gave me shit whenever I kissed Juliette at Purrfect Blend, but that was to be expected.
No one in town was surprised to see us acting this way. Either word got around fast, or they saw it coming before either of us did.
I also loved hearing about Juliette’s projects and was amazed at both her talent and determination. She had accomplished so much in a couple of months. I loved how much she cared aboutthis town, too. I wasn’t the only one getting attached. Even Ruby today asked me if there was a chance Juliette would stick around.
I told her the truth—I didn’t know.
While at the start of the summer I was nervous about Juliette being a distraction, I couldn’t have been more wrong. She was a motivation. On the nights I knew she was waiting for me, I was more productive because I wanted to get home. Lake Ridge was in a good spot. All summer we had been able to handle the busy season, especially once Eliza started bartending. Things were running smoothly, which made me feel better about hiring a head chef in the coming months. The late night bites, as simple as they were, were already a hit.
When I talked with customers over the last few weeks about the idea of expanding the food menu and being open for lunch and dinner, the excitement was palpable. Lunch and dinner would allow families, as well as couples and groups, to stop by before the atmosphere shifted toward drinks and music. Maybe live music was in our future, too.
I knew hiring a head chef would further put Lake Ridge on the map in the Midwest, especially if we were able to attract candidates who were recognized in the culinary field. It would be a challenge in its own way, because I still wanted Lake Ridge to have a welcoming, casual feel while serving delicious food. But I knew we’d get there.
I had a renewed sense of optimism lately, and something told me it had to do with Juliette.
I got to the cabin later that day to pick Juliette up for dinner at my parents’ house. She texted me earlier, saying the outfit she wanted was at the cabin and she decided to get ready there. She let me know she had left the door unlocked.
